Cetraria islandica
Iceland moss | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
Order: | Lecanorales |
Family: | Parmeliaceae |
Genus: | Cetraria |
Species: | C. islandica
|
Binomial name | |
Cetraria islandica | |
Synonyms | |
|
Cetraria islandica, also known as true Iceland lichen[1] or Iceland moss, is an Iceland lichen whose erect or upright, leaflike habit gives it the appearance of a moss, where its name likely comes from.
Description[]
It is often of a pale chestnut color, but varies considerably, being sometimes almost entirely greyish-white; and grows to a height of from 3 to 4 in., the branches being channelled or rolled into tubes, which end in flattened lobes with fringed edges.[2]
Range[]
It grows abundantly in the mountainous regions of northern countries, and it is specially characteristic of the lava slopes and plains of the west and north of Iceland. It is found on the mountains of north Wales, northern England, Scotland and south-west Ireland. In North America its range extends through Arctic regions, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado, and to the Appalachian Mountains of New England.[2]
Ecology[]
Cetraria islandica is a known host to the lichenicolous fungus species Lichenopeltella cetrariicola, which is known from Europe and Iceland.[3]
Composition[]
In commerce it is a light-grey harsh cartilaginous body, almost colorless, and tastes slightly bitter. It contains about 70% of lichenin or lichen-starch, a body isomeric with common starch. It also yields a peculiar modification of chlorophyll (called thallochlor), fumaric acid, , and (which gives it the bitter taste). It forms a nutritious and easily digested amylaceous food, being used in place of starch in some preparations of cocoa. It also contains and .[4]
Uses[]
It is not in great demand, and even in Iceland it is only occasionally used to make folk medicines,[5] and in a few traditional dishes. In earlier times, it was much more widely used in breads, porridges, soups etc.[6] Cetraric acid or , a white micro-crystalline powder with a bitter taste, is readily soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in water and ether.[4] It has been recommended for medicinal use by alternative medicine sites, in doses of 2 to 4 grains (0.1 to 0.25 grams), as a bitter tonic and aperient.[4] It is traditionally used to relieve chest ailments,[7][better source needed] irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucous membranes and to suppress dry cough.[8]
Gallery[]
Engraving of Cetraria islandica - Islandslav.jpga from the 18th century botanical work Flora Danica
Cetraria islandica, Sarntaler Alpen, Italy
Cetraria islandica, Zillertaler Alpen, Italy
Cetraria islandica growing in a mat, Uppland, Sweden
Tablets containing Cetraria islandica, used as a dry cough remedy
References[]
- ^ "Standardized Common Names for Wild Species in Canada". National General Status Working Group. 2020.
- ^ a b Angier, Bradford (1974). Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-8117-2018-2.
- ^ a b Svane, Svanhildur Jónsdóttir; Alstrup, Vagn (2004). "Some lichenicolous fungi from Iceland" (PDF). Acta Botanica Islandica. 14: 53–58.
- ^ a b c 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica
- ^ Cetraria islandica at Plants for the Future
- ^ Iceland Recipe
- ^ Iceland Moss Archived 2006-10-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Assessment report on Cetraria islandica (L.) Acharius s.l., thallus" (PDF). European Medicines Agency. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
- public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Iceland Moss". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
External links[]
- Media related to Cetraria islandica at Wikimedia Commons
- Iceland moss & lichens
- References for Cetraria islandica
- Parmeliaceae
- Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
- Lichens described in 1753
- Lichens of Europe
- Lichens of North America
- Lichens of Iceland